Consciousness, higher-order thought, and stimulus reinforcement
Behavioral and Brain Sciences April 1, 2000 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x00252424 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that a higher-order thought theory of phenomenal consciousness, which maps consciousness onto a specific type of action and neural pathway, has implausible consequences for stimulus-reinforcement learning. |
Abstract
Rolls defends a higher-order thought theory of phenomenal consciousness, mapping the distinction between conscious and non-conscious states onto a distinction between two types of action and corresponding neural pathways. Only one type of action involves higher-order thought and consequently consciousness. This account of consciousness has implausible consequences for the nature of stimulus-reinforcement learning.